Sink faucet with integral liquid soap dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A manual or sensor type sink faucet for residential or commercial use, with an integral liquid soap dispensing system. A conduit extends internally through the faucet body from a remote supply of liquid soap. The conduit acts as a passage for the liquid soap to travel from the remote supply of liquid soap to outlet hole at the head of the faucet located directly over the sink bowl. The conduit can also be mounted externally to the faucet body and also dispense soap at the head of the faucet inside the sink bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to water and soap dispensers for commercial or residential sink faucets and more specifically to a sink faucet with and integral liquid soap dispensing system whereby the soap is dispensed at the head of the faucet directly over the sink bowl.

[0002] In commercial bathrooms, the two most common methods of dispensing soap are; with a dispenser which is mounted on the wall over the sink counter or a dispenser which is recessed into the sink counter. There are many problems with these dispensers and others as they relate to the appearance of bathroom cleanliness. The appearance of cleanliness is of the utmost importance in commercial bathroom. The most common problem is water and soap puddles collecting on the sink surface. It is a fact that when the majority of people wash their hands, they wet them first then reach for the soap with wet, dripping hands.

[0003] The two most common types of sink faucets available for commercial applications are:

[0004] 1. Manual—a person must rotate a knob or lift a lever for water.

[0005] 2. Sensor—a person must place his/her hands under the faucet with activates a sensor. The sensor in turn opens a valve, which releases the water.

[0006] The two most common types of liquid soap dispensers available for commercial applications are:

[0007] 1. Wall mounted (see FIG. 4)—this type of soap dispenser is usually mounted on a wall away from the sink or on a wall over the sink counter. It consists of a container that holds the liquid soap. A person accesses the soap by applying a pumping action to a lever on the dispenser.

[0008] 2. Recessed (see FIG. 3)—this type of soap dispenser is designed to be mounted into the sink counter adjacent to the sink. It consists of a container that holds the liquid soap and is mounted below the counter. Above the counter is a nozzle approximately 4″ long that extends over the sink bowl. A person accesses the soap by applying a pumping action to the body of the dispenser. A conduit extends internally through the nozzle to the container below the counter. Performing a pumping action on the body accesses the soap.

[0009] Both types of soap dispensers are separate accessories and are operated independently from the sink faucet.

[0010] The disadvantages of the wall-mounted dispenser are as follows:

[0011] 1. The dispenser must be mounted on the wall. Commonly, it is mounted on the wall over the sink counter, not the sink bowl, which may have multiple sinks built into it. When there is a single sink, the dispenser maybe mounted on a sidewall and does not hang over the sink. The soap is accessed by repeatedly pushing a lever on the unit with the entire hand. There is a small out-flow outlet on the bottom of the unit. Because this dispenser is mounted up high and away from the sink, a person must reach and pump the unit with his/her wet, dripping hands. This allows the water and soap to drip from the person hands and collect in a puddle on the sink counter surface or the floor. If there is a mirror mounted on the wall over the sink, this dispenser is commonly mounted to the mirror. This installation allows the water and soap, from ones hands, to drip between the mirror's joints, which in turn allows bacteria to grow behind the mirror.

[0012] 2. Not only is standing water a problem with these dispensers, soap puddles are also a major concern. Because the soap out flow outlet is located on the bottom of the dispenser, the liquid soaps often drips and collect on the counter or on the floor. Depending on the maintenance and cleaning schedule at a particular facility, these water and soap puddles could remain on the counter all day and, over time may cause staining or discoloration of the surface.

[0013] The disadvantages of the recessed soap dispenser are as follows:

[0014] 1. Although this type of fixture is designed to be installed in the sink counter adjacent to the sink bowl, a person must reach away from the sink bowl and apply a pumping action with his/her dripping wet hands to the dispenser in order to access the soap. The out flow nozzle is designed to extended over the sink bowl thus eliminating the soap dripping onto the sink counter.

PRIOR ART

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,994

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,319

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,261

[0018] D435,088

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The main object of this invention is to provide a sensor or manual type sink faucet with an apparatus for dispensing liquid soap directly over the sink bowl.

[0020] Another object of this invention is to dispense liquid soap with an apparatus that is mounted internally or externally to the sink faucet. Depending on the type of installation, the soap can be dispensed independently of or simultaneously with the water.

[0021] The main advantages of the present invention are sanitary and cleanliness. This faucet will eliminate the need to reach for liquid soap with dripping wet hands thereby keeping the sink counter surface free of bacteria or discoloration from standing water and soap puddles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a view of the preferred embodiment with an external installation. A conduit or flexible hose 1 extends from a liquid soap dispenser 2, mounted below the sink or sink counter 3 and is installed to the exterior of the faucet body 4. The soap is accessed from the end of the conduit or hose, directly over the sink bowl, by activating a lever, pushing a button or other means 5.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a view of the preferred embodiment with an internal installation. A conduit or flexible hose 1 extends from a liquid soap dispenser 2, mounted below the sink or sink counter 3 and is installed internally to the faucet body 4. The soap is accessed from an outflow opening, at the head of the faucet 6. The soap outflow opening is separate from the water outflow hole but is an integral part of the faucet body. The soap is accessed by activating a lever, pushing a button or other means 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The preferred embodiment of this invention consists of three main parts; a sink faucet, liquid soap dispenser and a flexible conduit or hose. One end of the hose is inserted into liquid soap dispenser, which is installed below the sink. The hose extends from the dispenser, through the sink counter and is installed either along the exterior of the faucet body or through the interior of the faucet body. The other end of the hose is mounted at the head of the faucet body directly over the sink. The soap flows from the hose opening directly over sink bowl, when activated by a lever, push button or other means. The faucet, soap dispenser and hose are currently manufactured by others and are not intended to be included as protection in this patent. While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements 

I claim:
 1. a manual or sensor type sink faucet and integral liquid soap assembly comprising:
 1. a faucet body, which dispenses water by manually opening a control valve, which in turn will allow water to flow through the faucet body to an outlet, located at the head of the faucet. Manually opening a control valve is accomplished by physically rotating the faucet handle, lifting a faucet lever, pushing a button, pressing a foot activated apparatus attached to the faucet, or other manual type means of operation.
 2. a faucet body which dispenses water by placing ones hands under the faucet thereby activating a sensor which in turn opens a control valve whereby the open valve releases the flow of water to the outlet hole located at the head of the faucet.
 3. a liquid soap dispensing conduit, which extends internally through the faucet body. The conduit extends from a remote supply of liquid soap through the faucet body to an outlet located at the head of the faucet.
 4. a liquid soap dispensing conduit, which extends externally along the faucet body. The conduit extends from a remote supply of liquid soap and is secured externally to the faucet body.
 5. said liquid soap dispensing system of claims 3 and 4 is activated on said manual type sink faucet in claim 1, by manual means such as, but not limited to: depressing a button, lifting a lever, rotating a knob, activating a foot pedal or other manual type of operation.
 6. said liquid soap dispensing system of claim 3 and 4 is activated on said sensor type faucet of claim 2, by placing ones hands under the faucet thereby activating a sensor which in turn activates a pump, opens a control valve and releases the flow of water and soap simultaneously through a single or multiple outlets located at the head of the faucet.
 7. said description of the liquid soap dispensing system operation in claim 5, can be used in sensor type faucet in claim
 2. The method of soap dispensing operation as described in claim 5 is the preferable method of soap dispensing system for sensor faucet type in claim
 2. 8. said control valve is mounted internally or externally to said faucet body. Said control valve means operative to restrict and permit liquid soap flow through the said conduit to the outflow outlet. 